Into the Cloud

In our last issue for 2012, we talked about
how you can back up precious holiday photos
or important warranty, medical or
career information. We
talked about external hard
drives that connect to your
computer by USB.

As we mentioned, external hard
drives are an excellent backup
solution. They usually contain all
the software to save and manage
files and can store everything like
documents, images, music and movies. The typical
external drive is relatively small, about the size of a
pocket book, and they are highly portable.

The typical household in Canada has multiple
devices now - gone are the days of a single desktop
computer. The average Canadian is also far
more mobile with computing than we have ever
been. This mobility can present a challenge for
backing up and sharing information if we're using
an external storage system.

The Cloud
The term 'cloud' comes from the cloud-shaped symbol used to visualize virtual services, like data storage and sharing, provided over the internet. The use of the cloud for storage and administration is very common among companies, organizations and institutions. Cloud computing has tremendous potential and application for even your own personal use.

How it Works
Big brand named companies like Apple, Microsoft and Google all offer affordable cloud based services for the everyday consumer - some are even free. Right from your phone or laptop you can upload files for storage and sharing, as long as you have an internet connection or data plan.

In fact, if you use Facebook, Flickr, Dropbox or Google Docs, you've already been using the cloud - it's that simple. Instead of emailing yourself that spreadsheet you've been working on, you can upload it to the cloud. You can use these cloud-based services to access and share your favourite Christmas photos with your extended family with just an Internet connection.

Safe & Accessible
The cloud offers a couple of really key benefits for the average consumer. The first is safety. When you're backing up important data, you shouldn't rely on only a single solution. A cloud service is another extremely reliable way to save and store that information. If the external drive is lost or damaged, you'll still have access to the information.

The second is accessibility. Imagine working on a document or sharing a file from any device in the world that has Internet access. That's the kind of accessibility that cloud computing offers. For most of us, the ability to share and safely store our precious moments and important information is excellent reason to consider using the cloud to back up our devices.

If you're using Apple products you can start by checking out iCloud, or if you're on a PC or Android device then you can start by Googling "cloud for your device". If you're not already, then the next time you have a few minutes do a bit of research and learn how you can benefit from using the cloud.

A History of Helping

Since 1997, Capital Direct has been helping Canadians make the most of the one of their greatest investments - their home. Since the beginning our mission has been to help Canadians use the equity in their homes to finance everything from dreams to long-term prosperity.

Owning your own home and paying down your mortgage is one of
the most powerful financial acts a Canadian can take. The
equity you build in your home can also be used as a platform
for prosperity building. You can use it to consolidate and
eliminate high-interest debt, invest in another property, or
use it to grow your business.

At the start of this new year, what plans do you have
for your financial future? You can visit our website at
www.capitaldirect.ca to learn more or feel free to give
us a call. We're always ready to listen.

All the very best to you and
your family in 2013!

A Simple Solution

Peter S., of Toronto explains, “I had a lot of
questions because I've only ever dealt with
the banks.”
Peter was looking for a financial
solution that would help expand his business.
“Richard was very helpful and patient explaining the
process. It was a lot simpler than I thought it was going
to be.”

Every month, Capital Direct helps Canadians just like
you to realize their dreams. What about you? Your home
equity is something you've worked hard to build, so
why not 'let your house lend a hand' © when you need
it most! Contact a Capital Direct mortgage specialist
to discover your options.

A simple financial solution to grow the business.

New Year Sudoku

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8    
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  2  
    9
  3  
2    
9   5
    8
3   9
4    
5   4
    6
  1  
4    
  1  
  7  
1    
     
8 9  
9    
    2
  5  

Click here to view the solution

Capital Direct's Eco-friendly Calculator

Do you know how large your home’s eco-footprint is? Under the ecoEnergy Retrofit program, homeowners can take advantage of available grants when improving the energy efficiency of their home. Not only will you be reducing your home's energy consumption but you can receive money back through available grants.

Visit Capital Direct's Eco-friendly Calculator online at, https://www.capitaldirect.ca/eco-calculator. Calculate the environmental impact of your household and find out ways of reducing it, then give us a call to learn how we can help you apply for available retrofit grants.


Request our new booklet: Borrowing for Success


How to Borrow What You Need to Succeed Guide

Learn how you can use your home equity to your greatest advantage.
To receive your FREE copy of this informative new booklet, email us at [email protected] with the subject line: “New Guide Request”. Please include your full name and postal address, and we'll send you a copy via Canada Post.

Mortgage Broker Licence Numbers: Ontario 10549 / Admin 11408; BC X026311MMB; Alberta MW-9811291; Nova Scotia 10769862.
Capital Direct is a member of CAAMP, MBABC, AMBA, Vancouver Board of Trade, and accredited with the BBB.